Thimble for light-fixtures



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. J. MILLER. THIMBLE FOR LIGHT FIXTURES.

No. 479,139. Patented July 19 1892.

WITNESSES: 6

INVENTOR,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

[No Model.)

J. J. MILLER. THIMBLE FOR LIGHT FIXTURES.

No. 479,139. Patented July 19, 1892..

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Jermain STATES JOHN J. MILLER, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

THIMBLE FOR LIGHT' FIXTURES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,139, dated July 19, 1832.

Application filed April 6, 1892. Serial No. 428,071. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN J. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsbnrg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Thimbles for Light-Fixtures, of which improvements the following is a specification.

The invention described herein relates to certain improvements in the arrangement of the connections between gas and electric-light fixtures, such as side brackets, chandeliers, &c., and the supply pipe and wires. The gaspipes are usually so arranged in houses that the outlet ends thereof project from two to four inches (more or less) from the side wall or ceiling. In attaching the electric light fixtures to these projecting ends insulatingjoints are interposed between the fixtures and said projecting ends, and fuse-boards are interposed between the wires of the fixtures and the supply-wires, said fuse-boards being adjacent to the insulating-joints. On account of the size of the joint and board and the length of the projecting ends of the gas-pipe the canopies used for concealing these parts are, on account of their size, nearly as unsightly as the joints and fuse-boards themselves.

The object of this invention is to provide for the arrangement of the connections of the gas and electric-light fixtures within thimbles or shells embedded within the walls or ceilings, thereby permitting of the use of small canopies for covering the mouths of the shells or thimbles.

In general terms the invention consists in the construction and combination substantially as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the application of my improvement to a side light. Fig. 2 is an end view of the thimble. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail View of a modification. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the form of thimble adapted for frame partitions; and Figs. 5 and 6 are end and plan views, respectively, of the same.

In the practice of my invention I provide a shell or thimble 1 of sufficient diameter and length to receive within it the insulating-j oint 2 and fuse-board 3, as hereinafter described. It is preferred to form a nipple a integral with the rear end of the thimble, said nipple being externally threaded for attaching the end of the supply-pipe 5 and the fixture 6 thereto. If desired, a threaded opening may be formed in the rear wall of the thimble and the nipple screwed therein, as shown in Fig. 3. here the thimble or shell is to be imbedded in a brick wall, a passage 7 may be formed in the wall of the shell, said passage extending from the nipple ato a point on the side of the shell near its front end, whereit is provided with an externally-threaded radial projection S for connection with the supply-pipe, as shown in Fig. 1. This construction will obviate the necessity of cutting a large hole in the brick wall in order to bring the end of the supply-pipe to the rear end of the thimble.

The thimble is provided with nipples 9 for the passage of the supply-wires 10 to the interior of the thimble, as shown. Vhen the form of thimble shown in Fig. 1 is employed, the nipples 9 are preferably arranged 011 0pposite sides of the passage 7.

Thimbles designed for brick walls are provided with reinforced seats 11 for the heads of the screws employed in securing them in position, as shown in Fig. 2; but the thimbles for frame partitions or ceilings are provided with wings 12, whereby they may be secured to the stndding, and the thimbles 9 are preferably located at the rear ends of the thimbles, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

These thimbles are arranged in the walls or ceilings so that their front edges will be flush, or approximately so, with the outer surface of the plaster, so that in case no fixture is desired where the thimble is located a cover 13 can be screwed into the mouth of the thimble and can then be papered over or otherwise concealed. As shown in Fig. 1, all the connections-such as insulating joints, fuseboards, &c.can be arranged within the thimble, which can be closed with a small fiat canopy 14:.

The thimble will also afford protection as against fire, as in case of the leakage of gas at the joint and its ignition by the electric current the flame will be confined within the thimble, which is preferably lined with asbestus, as shown at 12, thereby preventing the ignition of any woodwork adjacent to the thimble.

The thimble can be used in connection with gas-fixtures alone, in which case the nipples 9 may be omitted, or the thimbles may be secured in walls or ceilings, without connecting with a gas-pipe, as a support for electric fixtures, which could be screwed directly to the inwardly-projecting nipple at.

I claim herein as my invention 1. A thimble for light-fixtures, having in combination a shell adapted to be embedded 1n a wall or partition and provided with openings in its walls for the insertion of electriclight wires and a nipple adapted to be connected at its ends to a fixture and a gas-supply pipe, respectively, the fixture end of the nipple being within the shell, substantially as set forth.

2. A thimble for light-fixtures, having in combination a cup-like shell adapted to be embedded in a wall or partition and provided with openings in its walls for the insertion of electric wires, a nipple projecting into the shell for connection with a fixture, and means 25 for securing the shell in the wall, &c., substantially as set forth.

3. A thimble for light-fixtures, having in combination a shell adapted to be embedded in a wall or partition and a nipple adapted 30 to be connected at its ends to a fixture and a gas-supply pipe, respectively, the fixture end of the nipple being within the shell, substantially as set forth.

l. The combination of a gas-fixture con- 5 nected with. a supply-pipe and a thimble embedded in the wall adjacent to the fixture and surrounding the joint between the fixture and supply-pipe, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 40 my hand.

JOHN J. MILLER.

\Vitnesses:

DARWIN S. WoLcorr, W. B. CORWIN. 

